Belt arrangement for carrying a portable handheld work apparatus

ABSTRACT

A belt arrangement ( 1 ) for carrying a portable handheld work apparatus includes two shoulder carriers ( 3, 4 ) as well as a pelvis belt ( 6 ). Each shoulder carrier ( 3, 4 ) is connected with its two ends to the pelvis belt ( 6 ). The pelvis belt ( 6 ) is connected to a holder for the portable handheld work apparatus. A good carrying comfort is achieved in that at least one shoulder carrier ( 3, 4 ) includes an elastic region ( 29, 59 ) which permits an expansion of the shoulder carrier ( 3, 4 ) in longitudinal direction of the shoulder carrier ( 3, 4 ) and in that the shoulder carrier has a length limiter ( 30, 60 ) for the elastic region ( 29, 59 ) which limits the maximum expansion of the elastic region.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of German patent application no. 10 2007 048 103.0, filed Oct. 6, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,464 discloses a belt arrangement which includes shoulder belts as well as a pelvis belt. A carrier plate is mounted on the pelvis belt and the portable handheld work apparatus can be hooked onto the carrier plate.

During operation, the weight of the work apparatus is taken up by the pelvis belt and the shoulder belts. The shoulder belts are usually padded and are therefore comparatively stable with respect to form. With a movement of the operator, wherein one shoulder comes to lie lower than the other shoulder, it can happen that the shoulder belt disposed on this shoulder lifts upwardly from the shoulder. For this reason, the impression is imparted to the operator that the shoulder belt is sliding from the shoulder and this is unpleasant for the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a belt arrangement for carrying a portable handheld work apparatus which provides an improved carrying comfort.

The belt arrangement of the invention is for carrying a portable handheld work apparatus. The belt arrangement includes: two shoulder carriers defining respective longitudinal directions; a pelvis belt; each of the shoulder carriers having first and second ends operatively connected to the pelvis belt; a holder for accommodating the work apparatus thereon; the pelvis belt being connected to the holder; a first one of the shoulder carriers having an elastic region for permitting the first shoulder carrier to expand in the longitudinal direction thereof; and, the first shoulder carrier including a length limiter for the elastic region thereof which limits the maximum expansion of the elastic region.

The elastic region of the shoulder carrier leads to a shortening of the length of the shoulder carrier when one shoulder of the operator droops. The shoulder carrier is readjusted so that a lifting of the shoulder carrier from the shoulder of the operator is avoided. In this way, an improved carrying comfort of the belt arrangement is achieved in a simple manner. The length limiter simultaneously ensures that the weight of the work apparatus can be taken up via the fixed length limiter for a work apparatus mounted on the belt arrangement and with erect posture of the operator so that the work apparatus is firmly held on the belt arrangement during normal operation. In this way, good work is made possible with a work apparatus mounted on the belt arrangement.

Advantageously, the two shoulder carriers have an elastic region and a length limiter for the elastic region. In belts, where an unsymmetrical posture of the operator results because of the mode of working so that danger of lifting occurs only at one shoulder carrier, an elastic region and a length limiter, however, can be provided at only one shoulder carrier.

Advantageously, at least one shoulder carrier has a shoulder belt for contact engagement on the shoulder of the operator and a connecting strap for connecting the forward end of the shoulder belt to the pelvis belt. The shoulder belt is then advantageously configured to be padded while the connecting strap can be configured as a thin strap in order not to limit the freedom of movement of the operator. Advantageously, the elastic region is arranged on the connecting strap. The length limiter is formed by a section of the connecting strap. For the forces which usually act on the connecting strap during operation in its longitudinal direction, the connecting strap is not noticeably expandable. In this way, the connecting strap can be used as a length limiter and no additional elements for the length limiter are needed. The elastic region is especially configured as an elastic strap. The elastic strap can be retrofitted to an existing belt arrangement.

Advantageously, the elastic strap is connected to the connecting strap at least two mutually spaced attachment locations. The length limiter arches over the elastic region in the unloaded state of the shoulder carrier between two attachment locations. Advantageously, at least three attachment locations are provided which are arranged at equal distances with respect to each other. In this way, an adequate length of the elastic region can be obtained and simultaneously, the free length of the particular section of the length limiter between two attachment locations can be held comparatively short so the operator is not hindered by the sections of the length limiter which are arcuate over the elastic region. Advantageously, the length limiter and the elastic region are so designed that the length limiter lies on the elastic region for maximum expansion of the elastic region. In usual operation, when both shoulders of the user are approximately at the same elevation and the weight of the apparatus is uniformly distributed to both shoulder carriers, the elastic regions of the shoulder carriers are advantageously maximally expanded. In this usual operating state, the elastic region and the length limiter therefore operate like a section of a known belt. With the placement of the length limiter on the elastic region, there results a thin configuration so that a hindering of the operator is avoided.

It can, however, be provided that the elastic region is formed by at least one elastic thread of the shoulder carrier. Advantageously, the elastic region is formed by several elastic threads of the shoulder carrier. The elastic thread is advantageously woven into the shoulder carrier. The elastic region, which is defined by one or several elastic threads, is therefore an integral part of the shoulder carrier, especially of the connecting strap of the shoulder carrier. The length limiter is defined by at least one thread of the shoulder carrier having a modulus of elasticity which is greater, and preferably greater by a multiple, than the modulus of elasticity of the elastic thread. A non-elastic thread is preferably used for the length limiter. A non-elastic thread of the shoulder carrier can be a thread from which the shoulder carrier is usually manufactured preferably the connecting strap of the shoulder carrier. For the usual forces acting during operation, threads of this kind have no significant length expansion. The elastic region and the length limiter can be configured in that additionally elastic threads are woven into a known connecting strap. The elastic threads extend especially in the longitudinal direction of the shoulder carrier or of the connecting strap.

Advantageously, the holder for the work apparatus is arranged during operation below the pelvis belt approximately at the elevation of the thigh of the user of the belt arrangement. In this way, an ergonomic mode of working can be achieved.

Advantageously, the holder includes a carrier plate with a fixation for the work apparatus. A carrier plate with a fixation for the work apparatus is especially advantageous during use of the belt arrangement with brushcutters or the like. It can, however, also be provided that the holder includes a receptacle for the work apparatus. In this case, the work apparatus is especially an overhead branchcutter or the like which is supported from below by the receptacle during operation.

Advantageously, the pelvis belt is configured to be open. The rearward end and the forward end of the pelvis belt are connected to the holder for the portable handheld work apparatus. Practically, the belt assembly includes a side belt which has a forward end connected to the forward end of the pelvis belt. In this way, lateral forces can be taken up by the belt arrangement. The belt arrangement includes especially a back plate. Here, it is advantageous that the rearward end of the side belt is fixed to the back plate. The rearward ends of the shoulder belts are also advantageously fixed to the back plate and connected in this way to the pelvis belt via the back plate. In order to introduce the forces, a load strap is provided which is connected with one end to the rearward end of the pelvis belt and, with the other end, to the shoulder carriers, especially, to the rearward ends of the shoulder belts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a spatial schematic of a belt arrangement for carrying a portable handheld work apparatus and viewed in front elevation;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the belt arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the belt arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the belt arrangement shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic of the elastic region of a shoulder carrier with a length limiter in the unloaded state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic of the section of a shoulder carrier of FIG. 5 in the loaded state;

FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic showing the belt arrangement of the invention equipped with connecting straps having elastic regions provided with elastic threads;

FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic of the elastic region of a shoulder carrier with the length limiter in the unloaded state;

FIG. 9 is a schematic showing an elevation view of the elastic region of FIG. 8; and,

FIG. 10 is a side elevation schematic view of the elastic region of the shoulder carrier of FIGS. 8 and 9 in the loaded state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a belt arrangement 1 is shown for carrying a portable handheld work apparatus such as a brushcutter or the like. The belt arrangement 1 is shown in FIG. 1 on a schematically sketched operator 50 to clearly show the position of the belt arrangement 1 during operation. The belt arrangement 1 has two shoulder carriers, namely, a left shoulder carrier 3 and a right shoulder carrier 4. The designation “left”, “right”, “front” and “rear” or the like relate in each case to the operator 50. Accordingly, the left shoulder carrier 3 is arranged on the left shoulder of the operator 50 and the right shoulder carrier 4 is arranged on the right shoulder of the operator 50.

The left shoulder carrier 3 has a shoulder belt 7. The shoulder belt 7 has a rearward end 13 arranged on the back of the operator 50 and attached to a back plate 2. The shoulder belt 7 is padded and is guided over the shoulder of the operator 50 during operation. At its forward end 14 arranged in the region of the chest of the operator 50, the shoulder belt 7 has a length adjusting member 15 on which a forward end 16 of a connecting strap 9 is held. On the right shoulder of the operator 50, a shoulder belt 8 is arranged which is configured to be symmetrical to the shoulder belt 7 and is, with its rearward end 13, likewise attached to the back plate 2. The two rearward ends 13 are fixed to the back plate 2 at an upper region 18 thereof. The shoulder belt 8 is connected at its forward end 14 to a forward end 16 of the connecting strap 10 via a length adjusting member 15. A rearward end 17 of the connecting strap 10 is attached to a pelvis belt 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting strap 9 is also guided over the flank of the operator 50 and connected to the pelvis belt 6. Both connecting straps (9, 10) are connected to the pelvis belt 6 in the lateral back region of the operator 50.

The pelvis belt 6 is configured to be open and has a forward end 21 as well as a rearward end 22. The connecting strap 10 is connected to the pelvis belt 6 in the region of the rearward end 22. A lower region 19 of the back plate 2 is also fixed on the pelvis belt 6. The forward end 21 of the pelvis belt 6 is connected via a compensating strap 25 to a side belt 5. The side belt 5 lies on a flank of the operator 50. In the embodiment, the side belt 5 lies on the left flank of the operator 50. The side belt 5 is guided to the back plate 2 and is fixed in the upper region 18 to the back plate 2 or to the rearward end 13 of the shoulder belts 7 and 8. A rearward end 38 of the side belt 5 is arranged in the back region of the operator 50 and is connected to the shoulder belt 7 and 8 or to the back plate 2. The side belt 5 and the pelvis belt 6 are also padded.

The compensating strap 25 is fixed with its one end on the forward end 21 of the pelvis belt 6 and with its other end on a forward end 37 of the side belt 5. The compensating strap 25 is looped through an attachment member 26 which is held linearly displaceable on the compensating strap 25. A carrier plate 11 is held on the attachment member 26 and this carrier plate 11 has a carrier eyelet 12 for fixing a handheld portable work apparatus to the carrier plate 11. The carrier plate 11 is connected to the compensating strap 25 via a forward carrier strap 24 which is held on an adjusting device 28 of a counterpiece 27 to the attachment member 26. The length of the forward carrier strap 24 can be adapted because of the adjusting device 28. Toward the rear, the carrier plate 11 is connected via a rearward carrier strap 23 to the rearward end 22 of the pelvis belt 6. The adjusting member 32 shown in FIG. 2 is provided for adjusting the length of the rearward carrier strap 23.

A holding strap 20 extends on the back of the operator 50 between the two shoulder belts 7 and 8. The holding strap 20 is fixed with its respective ends to corresponding ones of the shoulder belts (7, 8) and is advantageously configured to be elastic. A load strap 31 extends between the upper region 18 of the back plate 2 and the rearward end 22 of the pelvis belt 6.

As FIGS. 1 and 3 show, respective elastic regions 29 are provided on the connecting straps 9 and 10 next to the respective rearward ends 17 of the connecting straps 9 and 10. The elastic region 29 is configured as an elastic strap and can advantageously be a rubber strap. A length limiter 30 is configured on the elastic region 29 and this length limiter is formed in each case by the connecting straps 9 and 10 themselves. The elastic region 29 permits an expansion of the shoulder carriers 3 and 4 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting straps 9 and 10 which is indicated in FIG. 3 by the double arrow 35. In the unloaded state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 (that is, when no work apparatus is attached to the belt arrangement 1), the elastic regions 29 are not expanded. The length limiter 30 is then not used.

In FIG. 2, the belt arrangement 1 is shown with a brushcutter 33 mounted thereon. The brushcutter 33 has a guide tube 34 with which the brushcutter 33 is attached to the carrier eyelet 12 (FIG. 1) of the carrier plate 11 with suitable attachment means. In this loaded state of the belt arrangement 1, the elastic regions 29 are expanded maximally as shown in FIG. 2. This maximum expansion is determined by the length limiter 30. Forces in the shoulder carriers 3 and 4 are introduced via the length limiter 30, that is, via the connecting straps 9 and 10.

If the operator 50 allows one of his shoulders to droop from the posture shown in FIG. 2, then the corresponding shoulder carrier (3, 4) would lift up from the shoulder in a conventional belt arrangement. Because of the elastic region 29, the shoulder carrier shortens itself by a corresponding amount with a droop of a shoulder. The shoulder carriers (3, 4) follow. A lifting of the shoulder carriers (3, 4) from the shoulder of the operator 50 is thereby avoided.

In FIG. 3, an embodiment is shown for the carrier plate 11′. Here, in lieu of the carrier eyelet 12, a hook 36 is provided for fixing a work apparatus such as the brushcutter 33. In the embodiment, the carrier straps 23 and 24 are fixed on the carrier plate 11′ or on the carrier plate 11. The carrier straps 23 and 24 can, however, also be configured as a common carrier strap which is looped through the carrier plates (11, 11′).

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment wherein a receptacle 39 is arranged on the belt arrangement 1 for a work apparatus such as an overhead branchcutter or the like. The receptacle 39 is also attached to the belt arrangement 1 via the carrier straps 23 and 24. An attachment strap 40 is provided on the receptacle 39 at the lower region. The attachment strap 40 is looped around the thigh of the operator 50 and fixes the receptacle 39 to the thigh of the operator 50. As shown in the drawings, the carrier plates (11, 11′) as well as the receptacle 39 are arranged below the pelvis belt 6 at the elevation of the thigh of the operator 50.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the elastic region 29 and the length limiter 30. The connecting strap 10 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the connecting strap 9 is correspondingly configured. An elastic band 46 is fixed to the connecting strap 10 at a total of four attachment locations (41, 42, 43, 44). This elastic band 46 forms the elastic region 29. The elastic band 46 can, for example, be a rubber strap or the like. The untensioned length (c) of the elastic strap 46 between the two outer attachment locations 41 and 44 is less than the distance (d), which is shown in FIG. 6, between the two outer-lying attachment locations 41 and 44 on the connecting strap 10. In the untensioned state, the connecting strap 10 is pulled together and overarches the elastic strap 46 with an arch between each two mutually adjacent ones of the attachment locations. All attachment locations (41, 42, 43, 44) are at the same distance (a) to each other in the untensioned state.

In FIG. 6, the connecting strap 10 is shown in the tensioned state. A force acts in the longitudinal direction on the connecting strap 10 and is indicated by arrow 45. The elastic strap 46 is tensioned because of the force. The elastic strap 46 is tensioned to a length which corresponds to the distance (d) between the attachment location 41 and the attachment location 44. The section of the connecting strap 10, which defines the length limiter 30, is likewise tensioned and lies against the elastic strap 46. For the maximal expansion of the elastic strap 46 shown in FIG. 6, the attachment locations (41, 42, 43, 44) are at a maximum spacing (b) to each other which is preferably the same for each of the adjacent attachment locations.

For a further increasing force in the longitudinal direction of the connecting strap 10, no additional length change in the longitudinal direction can take place because of the form stability of the connecting strap 10. Starting from this force, acting in the longitudinal direction, the connecting strap 10 acts as a conventional connecting strap without an elastic region. This is defined by the usual state of the connecting strap 10 during operation.

As an example, the elastic strap 46 and the connecting strap 10 can be sewn to each other at the attachment locations (41, 42, 43, 44). Also, additional attachment techniques can be advantageous.

The elastic region 29 can also be integrated into the connecting strap 10, for example, in that the connecting straps (9, 10) have elastic threads and essentially non-elastic threads in the longitudinal direction which are interwoven in a suitable manner with each other in order to permit an expansion for low forces and simultaneously limit the expansion to a maximum expansion. This is shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 10.

The belt arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 7 has elastic regions 59 which form a section of each of the connecting straps 9 and 10. The configuration of the belt arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the configuration of the belt arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 3. The same reference numerals identify like components. The elastic regions 59 are configured, in each case, in the region of a length limiter 60.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the configuration of the elastic regions 59. In the area of the elastic regions 59, elastic threads 61 are woven into the connecting straps 9 and 10 and run in the longitudinal direction of the connecting straps 9 and 10.

In FIG. 8, only the threads are shown which run in the longitudinal direction of the straps. Transverse threads, which hold the longitudinal running threads together are not shown for the sake of clarity and are advantageously not elastic. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the elastic threads 61 are connected to the corresponding connecting strap (9, 10) at two attachment locations 63 which delimit the elastic region 59. The elastic region 59 furthermore has a length limiter 60 which is formed by threads 62 which are essentially non-elastic and which likewise run in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding connecting strap (9, 10). The non-elastic threads 62 are advantageously threads of the connecting straps (9, 10). As FIGS. 8 and 9 show, the elastic threads 61 run essentially in the longitudinal direction of the connecting straps (9, 10). The non-elastic threads 62 are arranged wave shaped between the two attachment locations 63.

As shown in FIG. 9, the elastic region 59 has a length (e) in the unloaded state of the connecting straps (9, 10). In the loaded state, the lengths of the connecting straps (9, 10) increase in the elastic region 59 to a length (f) which is shown in FIG. 10. The length (f) is also measured between the two attachment locations 63. In the loaded state, the elastic threads 61 and the non-elastic threads 62 lie in the plane of the connecting straps (9, 10). The length (f) corresponds to the length of the non-elastic threads 62 between the attachment locations 63.

At least one elastic thread 61 and at least one thread 62 having a modulus of elasticity greater than the elastic thread define the length limiter 60. A non-elastic thread 62 is preferably used for the length limiter. In the loaded state shown in FIG. 10, the non-elastic threads 62 (that is, the threads having the greater modulus of elasticity) are pulled to a limit.

It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A belt arrangement for carrying a portable handheld work apparatus, the belt arrangement comprising: two shoulder carriers defining respective longitudinal directions; a pelvis belt; each of said shoulder carriers having first and second ends operatively connected to said pelvis belt; a holder for accommodating said work apparatus thereon; said pelvis belt being connected to said holder; a first one of said shoulder carriers having an elastic region for permitting said first shoulder carrier to expand in the longitudinal direction thereof; and, said first shoulder carrier including a length limiter for said elastic region thereof which limits the maximum expansion of said elastic region.
 2. The belt arrangement of claim 1, wherein a second one of said shoulder carriers also has an elastic region for permitting said second shoulder carrier to expand in the longitudinal direction thereof; and, said second shoulder carrier including a length limiter for said elastic region thereof which limits the maximum expansion of said elastic region of said second shoulder carrier.
 3. The belt arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of said shoulder carriers includes a shoulder belt for resting on a shoulder of an operator; said shoulder belt having a forward end; and, said one shoulder carrier includes a connecting strap for connecting said forward end to said pelvis belt.
 4. The belt arrangement of claim 3, wherein said elastic region of said one shoulder carrier is disposed in said connecting strap.
 5. The belt arrangement of claim 4, wherein said length limiter is formed by a section of said connecting strap.
 6. The belt arrangement of claim 4, wherein said elastic region is configured as an elastic strap.
 7. The belt arrangement of claim 6, wherein said elastic strap is connected to said connecting strap at least two attachment locations spaced at a distance from each other.
 8. The belt arrangement of claim 7, wherein said length limiter arches over said elastic region between said two attachment locations when said shoulder carrier is in the unloaded state thereof.
 9. The belt arrangement of claim 7, wherein said elastic strap is connected to said connecting strap at least three attachment locations with each two mutually adjacent ones of said attachment locations being separated from each other by the same distance (a).
 10. The belt arrangement of claim 7, wherein said length limiter lies on said elastic region when said elastic region is stretched to its maximum.
 11. The belt arrangement of claim 5, wherein said elastic region is formed by at least one elastic thread of the shoulder carrier.
 12. The belt arrangement of claim 11, wherein said elastic thread is woven into the shoulder carrier.
 13. The belt arrangement of claim 11, wherein said length limiter is formed by at least one thread of the shoulder carrier which has a higher modulus of elasticity than the modulus of elasticity of said elastic thread.
 14. The belt arrangement of claim 11, wherein said length limiter is formed by at least one thread of the shoulder carrier which has a modulus of elasticity higher by a multiple than the modulus of elasticity of said elastic thread.
 15. The belt arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a holder for holding said work apparatus during the operation thereof; and, said holder being disposed below said pelvis belt at the elevation of the thigh of the operator wearing said belt arrangement.
 16. The belt arrangement of claim 15, wherein said holder is a carrier plate having fixing means for said work apparatus.
 17. The belt arrangement of claim 15, wherein said holder includes a receptacle for said work apparatus.
 18. The belt arrangement of claim 15, wherein said pelvis belt is configured to be open having a forward end and a rearward end; and, said forward end and said rearward end are connected to said holder.
 19. The belt arrangement of claim 1, said pelvis belt having a forward end and said belt arrangement further comprising a side belt having a forward end connected to said forward end of said pelvis belt.
 20. The belt arrangement of claim 19, further comprising a back plate.
 21. The belt arrangement of claim 20, said shoulder carriers having respective shoulder belts and said shoulder belts having respective rearward ends; a side belt having a rearward end; and, said rearward ends of said shoulder belts and said rearward end of said side belt all being fixedly connected to said back plate.
 22. The belt arrangement of claim 1, said shoulder carriers having respective shoulder belts and said shoulder belts having respective rearward ends; said pelvis belt having a rearward end; said belt arrangement further comprising a load strap having a first end operatively connected to said rearward end of said pelvis belt and having a second end operatively connected to said rearward ends of said shoulder belts. 